An online petition has been started calling for the venue of the Amlin Challenge Cup to be changed to a larger stadium.

Supporters of Bath and Northampton have been given just 1,000 tickets for the Amlin Cup final that will take place on May 23 at the Cardiff Arms Park. The announcement caused outrage in both sets of supporters and they have reacted by starting an online petition which to date has just over 1300 signatures.

The general consensus seems to be the supporters want the final shifted to the Cardiff City Stadium, a ground with a capacity of 26,828. While that seems unlikely, tournament organisers European Rugby Cup Ltd has announced an extra 400 seats will be installed in the Arms Park to help meet supporters' needs.

ERC defended the call to host the final at the Arms Park in a statement, saying: "For the 2010-11 season and onwards, the board of ERC decided to locate its two finals in the same city with a view to creating a unique weekend celebration of rugby to be enjoyed by fans across Europe.

"Recent Amlin Challenge Cup finals have attracted attendances of 9,376 for the 2012 match at the Twickenham Stoop, of 12,236 for the 2011 decider at the Cardiff City Stadium and 9,260 for the 2009 game, again at the Twickenham Stoop. It has been ERC's policy to attempt at all times to fill venues to as close to capacity as possible so that players and supporters alike can benefit from the sort of atmosphere which is reflective of a European final.

"On that basis, the 12,125-capacity Cardiff Arms Park was the most suitable choice from the available venues for this season's Amlin Challenge Cup final."

The petition has received support from the players involved in the final with Nick Abendanon urging supporters to sign it.

Would urge every supporter to sign this Online petition 'Move the 2014 Amlin challenge cup to a bigger venue.'
http://t.co/IItCJQZvkN